ANNAPOLIS – Prince George’s County civic leaders and clergy plan to be out in force Tuesday to protest a bill that would allow a sixth Maryland casino in the county. The bill, which would put on the November ballot measures to build a Prince George’s casino and to allow table games throughout the state, has gained support from county lawmakers after clearing the Senate last week. County Executive Rushern Baker says he is confident that he has the support of the county’s House delegation, six of whom sit on the House Ways and Means Committee scheduled to hear testimony on the bill Tuesday afternoon.
But clergy and community leaders plan to use petitions and protests to fight Baker’s proposal for a Las Vegas-style casino at National Harbor.
It’s an issue they have challenged since the first slots referendum in 2008, when voters rejected Prince George’s as a gambling site. Their efforts were renewed last summer, when county Councilman Eric Olson, D-College Park, led an effort to ban slots from the county.
Before Olson’s measure was tabled, religious leaders met with Baker, who asked the clergy to keep all the county’s revenue-generating options on the table before the General Assembly met.
“Even when he professed a desire to keep an open mind, I was concerned because having any further placement of gambling in Prince George’s County was a non-starter for us,” said Rev. Jonathan Weaver, pastor of Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church.
Baker’s decision to support a casino at National Harbor was based mostly on the clergy’s concern, said spokesman Scott Peterson.
“We respect every individual and faith community’s objection to gaming. But the reality is that gambling has been legalized in the state of the Maryland for years,” Peterson said.
Building a facility at National Harbor “would generate revenue for Prince George’s County that could be used to mitigate negative effects that gaming may already have on our community,” he said.
Recent supporters have given Baker momentum. Despite misgivings about a competing casino, Caesars Entertainment supports the expansion of table games in the bill. And Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake threw her support behind the bill late last week.
